Dibond

Fire Characteristics of Dibond Material

It is necessary to know the fire characteristics of materials when they are used in applications where there may be stringent rules on how the materials behave when exposed to sources of combustion.

Sometimes it is necessary to know the fire characteristics of materials that are used in the production of certain signage, graphics, exhibits or displays. These characteristics become important when the materials are used in applications where there may be stringent rules on how the materials behave when exposed to sources of combustion.

The following sections the standards Dibond has been tested to, and where applicable it’s classifications under these standards.

UL 94
Standard for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances

The test method is intended to characterize flame propagation of a material and its tendency to char. The test also indicates the tendency of the material to produce flaming particles which could ignite a cotton indicator located below the sample. It is used to determine a material’s tendency either to extinguish or to spread the flame once the specimen has been ignited.

There are various flame classifications specified in UL 94 that are assigned to materials based on the results of these small-scale flame tests. These classifications are used to distinguish a material’s burning characteristics after test specimens have been exposed to a specified test flame under controlled laboratory conditions.

UL-94 Classification

Dibond Gauges

V-0

2 mm

V-0

3 mm

V-0

4 mm

These classifications show that the material was tested in a vertical position and self-extinguished within a specified time after the ignition source was removed. These classifications also indicate that the material dripped no flaming particle that ignited a cotton indicator located below the sample.

The test method uses a sample of material 20-24” wide by 24’ long that fits under the roof of a 25’ long tunnel forming the ceiling of the tunnel. Gas burners on one end of the tunnel impinge a flame on 7 square feet of the test specimen. The rate of progression of flame is observed as it passes side windows in the tunnel. The decrease in light caused by smoke development is measured by a photometer.

The flame propagation is plotted as distance vs. time. The photometer data is plotted as percent of absorption vs. time. The flame spread and smoke development indexes are then calculated and reported.